Artists condemn nude Net photos

The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild has condemned the increasing circulation and uploading of obscene photographs, purportedly of celebrities, on the internet.

The latest example was a photo of a partially dressed woman resembling actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi. Other victims have included pop star Edison Chen Koon-hei and Gillian Chung Yan-tung, of the girl duo Twins. Speaking after a two-hour meeting, the guild's chairman, Alan Tam Wing-lun, said the issue had been elevated to a social topic.

'The circulation of such obscene photos has created a bad atmosphere in society,' he said.

Tam warned people to take care with their personal digital files.

A guild board member, Astrid Chan Tsz-ching, said obscene photos of members of the public had also been uploaded, setting a bad example to youngsters.

She said the artists involved had yet to get in touch with the guild, but the management company of one had been in close contact.